Until today, developers were using tools like Crouton to run Linux apps on Chrome OS. But Google has now made it easier.
Soon, you will be able to run Linux apps on your Chrome OS machine. You will will have to do is switch a toggle in the Settings menu. Google is not adding the Linux app support on by default because an average user probably doesn’t need the Linux terminal and the ability to code. Once a user enabled the switch in settings, they will be told if they need more space or if their device supports Linux.
One of the primary goal for making this big change is to enable developers use Chrombooks for coding. If you want, Linux terminal, Android Studio, Git, Vim or Sublime, everything will be available this year.
Support for Linux also means that developers will be able to use ChromOS to develop for Google’s platforms. Developers will be able to create, test, and run any Android or web app for phones, tablets, and laptops on Chrombooks without needing any third-party tool.
To enable the support for graphical apps, Google has opted to integrate the Wayland display server. So, GUI apps will look same as in any other devices.
Chromebooks have become more powerful over the years and now Google wants you to use it for code. This will surely help Google to get considerable market share and at least some popularity among developers.
Google will release the preview of this on Pixebook before bringing it for more devices.
